TOP RINGTONES2005-2013

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Explore The History
Of The Ringtone

From the switchboards of the 1870s to the touchtone phones of the 1960s, all the way up to today’s Smartphones that boast technology well beyond anything Alexander Graham Bell could have imagined – every phone makes a sound. Take a stroll through the history of ringtones and listen for yourself.

1870sBell's first telephone

Mr. Watson, come here.

The first telephone call ever placed was recorded on March 10, 1876. Alexander Graham Bell called his assistant, Mr. Thomas Watson, and said those famous first words. Although credit for the invention is much disputed, Bell’s telephone patent has been called the most valuable patent ever issued.

1870sswitchboard

Switchboard Sally, not Stan.

Did you know that the first switchboard operators were boys? At first, it seemed like a good idea. They were so good at telegraphy that it would be a natural transition. But their lack of patience and “colorful” language proved to be unacceptable for live phone contact. It wasn’t long before women were hired.

1890S

Crank phone

I can’t hear you. What’d you say? Crank it up!

Hand crank phones were the first consumer telephones, which worked by electrical generators that used magnets to create electric current. Turning the crank rotated the “magneto,” causing a bell to ring that would alert the operator or another party on the line that an individual wanted to make a call.

Candlestick phone

Alexander Bell, in the lab, with the candlestick.

The candlestick phone was more streamlined, and certainly way better looking than those bulky wooden hand-crank wall phones. In the early 1900s, many companies produced beautiful candlestick phones. Problem was, non-Bell Telephones didn’t work with the Bell System. And that spelled failure. Whoops!

Cradle phone

Did you just say sawed-off telephone?

Did you know that the first cradle phone was actually a sawed-off candlestick phone that was fitted with a cradle and receiver handset? Clever! Following that ingenious design choice by Bell, candlestick phones (also known as upright, desk stand, or stick phones) were out, and desktop cradle phones were in!